Laboratory – Institute of Sanitary Engineering and Waste Management

Equipment

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR for the identification of solids)
Thermogravimetric analysis coupled to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR for the characterisation of solids)
Gas chromatograph with TCD for the analysis of biogases
Gas chromatograph with FID for the die analysis of liquid samples
Gas chromatograph with mass spectrometer for 15N tracer experiments and the identification of unknown components
Total Organic Carbon Analyser for the determination of total organic and inorganic carbon and bound total nitrogen (TNb)
3D-fluorescence microscope for the creation of three-dimensional images for instance in the fluorescence in-situ hybridization
Stereo fluorescence microscope for fluorescence in-situ hybridization
Video microscope for the microscopic examination of activated sludge and the determination of filamentous bacteria
Realtime-PCR-Cycler for the quantification of bacteria, bacteria groups and viruses
PMA®lite photolysis for the viability-PCR (quantification of alive and dead microorganisms by the PCR)
Gel electrophoresis
BIOSTAT® bioreactor with automatic feed control and continuous processing in batch, fed-batch, continuous or perfusion mode
Aerobic batch systems with automated aerator control for laboratory-scale experiments, for instance COD degradation, nitrification, toxicity
Mobile batch system
Anaerobic batch systems for laboratory-scale experiments, for instance anammox activity, denitrification and for batch digestion tests of new substrates
Biosafety laboratory level BIO(II) UV/VIS spectrophotometer for photometric measurement
Impedance test system
Branson Sonifier for the ultrasonic treatment of wastewater and activated sludge

Analytical Offering of ISAH

Instrumental Analytics

Gas chromatography GC-TCD, GC-FID, GC-MS, Fractionation and quantification of biogases:

Methane
Carbon Dioxide
Nitrous Oxide
Hydrogen Sulphide
Nitrogen
Oxygen
Hydrogen

Identification und quantification in liquid samples:

Polyhydroxybutyrate PHB
Acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric and caproic acid
Palmitic, stearic, linoleic, linolenic and oleic acid
Fatty acid methyl ester FAME

15N/14N Isotope Ratio Monitoring with GC-MS:

Metabolic pathways in the nitrogen decomposition with 15N tracer substrates

Thermogravimetric analysis coupled to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR):

Carbonisation characteristics of organic waste and digestate
Determination of decomposition process on molecular level
Digestate analysis and volatility
Determination of biogen and fossil organic matter

TOC/TNb-Analytics:

Determination of bound anorganic and organic carbon
Determination of bound nitrogen TNb

Biological and molecular biological analysis:

Mikroscopy (biocoenosis, EPS)
Determination of filamentous bacteria
Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) for nitrifiers, anammox, legionella and others
Water quality assessment according to PERLODES
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction qPCR for quantification of Legionella spp, Legionella pneumophila, anammox, adenoviruses and others
Viability qPCR for the quantification of alive and dead microorganisms by PCR
IDEXX quanti-tray for microbial count (MPN) of coliforms, E. coli, enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila
LUMIS luminescent bacteria test
Classic microbiology (cultivation, staining methods)

Biological and activity tests:

We perform sludge activity tests as well as inhibition and toxicity tests for wastewater and substrates under aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic conditions.